Unscripted: the NolaPapa Podcast

Send us Fan Mail Switching gears from our regular show- Adults Only!  Tonight on After Dark , I sit down with world-renowned Chef and United States Marine veteran Eric Cook, the force behind Gris-Gris and one of the most respected voices in New Orleans cuisine. Chef Cook’s journey is one of service, perseverance, and passion — from his years as a Marine to becoming a nationally recognized chef who...

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Summer Finale | History, Legacy & New Orleans 🇺🇸🎇✨ For our midseason finale, we’re taking a seat at one of the most legendary tables in America. Join us as we sit down with Lisa Blount of Antoine’s Restaurant to explore the remarkable family legacy behind New Orleans’ oldest continuously family-owned restaurant and its place in the story of our nation’s 250th anniversary....

Send us Fan Mail Thanks to our friends at New Orleans Ice Cream Co and to our entire roster of amazing sponsors that allow inspiring stories like these come to life!  For our Father’s Day special, I had the honor of sitting down with one of the most recognizable voices in animation, Bill Farmer, the voice of Goofy for nearly four decades, alongside his son, Austin Farmer, a talented drummer and so...

Send us Fan Mail As we celebrate Pride 2026, this week’s guest represents the heart, resilience, creativity, and joy that make our community so special. By day, Joey serves the people of New Orleans as a dedicated civil servant. But when the lights come up and the music starts, audiences know and love her as the bold, hilarious, and unforgettable Debbie with a D. From behind the bar at some of New...

Send us Fan Mail 🌍🎙️ This week on Unscripted with NolaPapa… We’re honored to welcome global environmental champion Joseph Nguthiru for a powerful conversation about innovation, sustainability, and protecting the future of our planet. Joseph is the visionary behind Hyapak — his groundbreaking plastic-eliminating creation designed to rethink waste and inspire real environmental change across the gl...

Send us Fan Mail Meredith Walker has spent her career helping tell stories that make us laugh, think, and occasionally spit coffee across the room. She’s an award-winning television producer who worked during what I personally consider one of the greatest eras of Saturday Night Live —an era that gave us unforgettable characters, legendary sketches, and enough quotable moments to survive every awkw...

Send us Fan Mail 🍔 National Burger Day just got a whole lot more New Orleans. Thursday! May 28- mark it DOWN. This week we’re joined by New Orleans burger royalty — Adam Biderman of The Company Burger. From redefining the local burger scene to building one of the most talked-about burger spots in the South, Adam’s passion for the perfect burger helped turn Company Burger into a true NOLA institut...

Send us Fan Mail Yall, this week's guest is a storyteller whose words don’t just entertain — they heal, challenge, and stay with you long after the final page. Keala Kendall  is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author behind Disney’s A Twisted Tales novels inspired by Moana and Lilo & Stitch — and now, her powerful new book, That Which Feeds Us , is turning heads across the li...

Send us Fan Mail 🌺 You already know that for Mother's Day I had something up my sleeve. JUST Released this past Tuesday is the SWEETEST book for Mom.  Another New York Times Best Seller today yall. Yes, YES- I know it is a children's book, however! When mama and kiddo snuggle in to read this book together...trust me. This book hits, folks.  It is a love letter to mamas everywhere, while...

Send us Fan Mail Tuck the kids away and clock out from work! Because this one is A HOOT!!!!      Adult language and major shenanigans will be had for the next 60 Minutes! Psss. Did you know that Mrs. Kasha Davis AND Darienne Lake are coming to      NEW ORLEANS!?! YES! May 7th at  ALLways Lounge 10pm!! But before their own show the gals met up with me for mine and we CUT UP hunny. We talked about w...

Send us Fan Mail I love it when authors sit down with me to share their VERY FIRST book. It is so freaking special. This week, Sara Amini is one of the stars in the Peacock espionage techno-thriller series... HOWEVER! She JUST released her first of 3 YA (young adult) graphic novels, "Mixed Feelings"  by powerhouse, SCHOLASTIC! Sara is  an Iranian-Colombian actress who has starred in vari...

Send us Fan Mail Back in 2011, I remember personally waiting in line on Freret Street at the new hot dog closet that had just opened up. A line down the block. It was something to behold. Especially because it was only 6 years after Katrina. And Freret Street still looked like it. For real.  But a few investors saw potential and the first sparks in the dark were made.        And before you knew it...

Send us Fan Mail Alyson Gerber is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of The Liars Society series , a middle grade mystery, like Knives Out for the family. The Liars Society is a Barnes & Noble Bookseller Favorite, Girls' Life Book Club Pick, and The Week Junior Book of the Week. The Liars Society has been nominated for the Texas Bluebonnet Award as well as book awards in...

Send us Fan Mail A super special Easter episode coming at ya this week. Holy week became more special to me as my children grew and became curious. I love learning more about not only Christ and the way, but also introducing new knowledge to my babies. WHO better to lead us in this meaningful conversation than our own Brother Todd van Alstyne, New Orleans Anglican Dominican Friar.  We welcome Brot...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever made a mark… just to see where it might take you? Our guest today has built a magical world out of that very idea! Peter H. Reynolds is the creative mind behind some of your favorite stories, and he’s here to remind us that every one of us has something special to share.  Peter just released his brand new book 'When You Dream Big' by Scholastic!    'Wh...

Send us Fan Mail Bayona is a highly acclaimed restaurant in the French Quarter, renowned for its creative global cuisine developed by James Beard Award-winning chef Susan Spicer . Located in a beautifully restored 200-year-old Creole cottage, it offers an upscale yet inviting atmosphere with an enchanting garden courtyard. It is absolutely enchanting, yall. And today we get to hear from Bayona&apo...

Send us Fan Mail World Renowned, Fifth generation  Psychic Medium, Dallisa Hocking has reached millions all over the world and across her 250,000 plus followers across all platforms. She is the founder of Spirit & Spark, a platform that connects people with spiritual teachers and intuitive practitioners.  Dallisa joined me a couple seasons back, but today she is here for something really wild....

Send us Fan Mail Billy Ray is an American screenwriter and film director. He has written numerous successful films, including the first Hunger Games movie, Captain Phillips, and Richard Jewell, earning an Oscar nomination for the second film.  Burn the Water is a new YA dystopian romance novel by Hunger Games screenwriter Billy Ray, released on March 3, 2026, by Scholastic Press. It is a "Rom...

Send us Fan Mail YALL. Yep. It's one of those times.  Broadway has always rang my bells. There is just something about it. Maybe it is the live performances? I don't jive with ALL of Broadway musicals BUT Disney? Papa jives with ALLLL of the Disney.  We took the kids to see Aladdin two years ago and to watch their little faces just made everything perfect.  Today you guys we are talking...

Send us Fan Mail If you could find 100 words to say I love you, what would you do? Well, for Sandra Magsamen it would be creating the cutest book for Scholastic on Valentines day.  Love is around us everywhere we look. You'll find 100 amazing words and ways to say, "I love you" in this book! In the bestselling and beloved First 100 Words format, this charming board book includes stu...

Send us Fan Mail What a fun show!  Back in the day, I was buck. BUCK. And I drove. AND I worked at night clubs on Bourbon Street. All of that equals a driver insurer’s nightmare! HOWEVER, I was very fortunate. Car insurance is vital yall. AND- having the right person to take care of it is even more vital-er? ....Vital!  And our resident insurance specialist, Leigh Ann from State Farm is here to ta...

Send us Fan Mail You probably remember the bestselling book series, Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger.  The first of those books (for middle grades) has been split into two stunning graphic novels, retelling the thrilling novel.    KEEPER OF THE LOST CITIES: THE GRAPHIC NOVEL PART 2 is now told in gorgeous full color.  Here is what was said about the original book (2013!):    “A large...

Send us Fan Mail Calling all puzzle lovers! Did you know that January 29th is National Puzzle Day?  AND January is all about chugging out those addicting little puzzles no matter the age!  Highlights Magazine Puzzle Expert Allison Kane is here again with me to talk about this incredibly fun month and to also introduce us to Highlights' BRAND NEW Puzzle Book!  The super fun Puzzle-a-Day Challe...

Send us Fan Mail Season 6!! Is this real life? I am still pinchin' myself! Let's go! Straight from the Kelly Clarkson show!! Lawrence Zarian, a.k.a. “LZ,” is one of the most sought after on-camera lifestyle and fashion experts in television. With over 15 years of industry experience, it’s clear that he loves what he does—and that’s helping people look and feel their absolute best. Listen...

Send us Fan Mail Season 5 Finale Comin' in HOT!  I just cannot believe it has been 5 years. 5 years of hundreds of stories. From all walks of life. From all over America. Stories of grit. Hope. Resilience. Empathy.  When we are brave enough to share our own deepest, and painful stories that LIT that spark inside of us to RISE. To let GO. To just, BE. It is up to us all to help pull others fro...